DNA Dude: How a Local Cop Transformed Law Enforcement

November 20,
2001 | Cville Weekly

Excerpts From Six Page Cover Story

It was a Charlottesville police officer, troubled by such
questions, Who rallied the hearts and minds to turn theory into reality.
Thanks to the lobbying efforts of Lt. J.E. "Chip" Harding, Virginia now
leads the nation in solving crimes through DNA.

The concern that other states don't have good data banks
concerns Harding. that concern has kept him from resting on his in-state
laurels.

He's written the president, senators, and congressmen. He
has met with a consulting group hired by Congress. He has been on NPR and
on CBS
national news twice. He has received phone calls from all over the
country wanting to know how Virginia did it.

Dr. Paul Ferrara, director of the Virginia Department of
Forensic Science, says, "Chip recognized the potential. He became a very
vocal disciple."

"A forceful advocate supported by his personal passion
and belief," said the late Senator Emily Couric. Or as Ferrara puts it:
"Chip was the go to guy."